Key facts
- The FAA determined President Trump's proposed 250-foot "triumphal arch" requires red safety lights.
- The arch is planned for the end of Memorial Bridge, near Reagan Washington National Airport.
- A preliminary study found no adverse effect on the airport's airspace.
- The structure would need red obstruction lights, a common safety measure for tall buildings.
- The project has faced opposition from veterans and preservation groups.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has stated that President Trump’s proposed 250-foot "triumphal arch" will require red safety lights to ensure it does not pose a risk to air travel. The arch is planned for the end of Memorial Bridge, situated within the main approach and departure corridor for Reagan Washington National Airport.
A preliminary feasibility study conducted by the FAA determined that the arch would not adversely affect the airport's airspace, provided that the top of the structure is equipped with red obstruction lights. This is a standard safety measure for buildings exceeding 200 feet in height in the nation's capital, similar to the lighting on the Washington Monument.
The project has garnered approval from the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), though the latter requested further justification for the arch's height and lighting plans. However, the proposal has faced significant opposition. Vietnam War veterans have filed a lawsuit to block its construction, citing a lack of congressional approval and concerns about obstructing views of Arlington National Cemetery. The National Trust for Historic Preservation also voiced criticism, arguing the arch would disrupt the significant landscape connecting the Lincoln Memorial to the cemetery.